Fire-box for boilers.



J. M. MGGLBLLON.

FIRE BOX FOR BOILBRS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNI: 7, 1909.

1,072,865. Patented sept.9,1913.

24 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANoaRAPM Co., WASHINGTON. n.1;

1913. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Sept. 9,

J. M. MCG'LBLLON. FIRE BOX FOR BOILERS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1909. Y

ran sanas JAMES IVI. IVIQCLELLON, OF EVERETI, MASSACHUSETTS.

Fran-Box ron BorLERs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

' Application tiled J' une 7, 1909. Serial No. 500,562-

boiler fire-boxes and more particularly to lire-boxes for boilers of thelocomotive type Thercharacter of my invention may be best understood byreference to thefollowing description of an illustrative embodimentthereof shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a transverse vertical section through a boiler iireboxembodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the boilerand fire-box shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail ofparts shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4; is a view of Fig. 3 looking toward theright; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3; andFig. 6 is a detail hereinafter referred to.

The illustrative lire-box herein embodying my invention is shown inconnection with a boiler of the locomotive type. This boiler comprises(see Fig. l) a shell 1 provided with the usual longitudinal fire tubes 3communicating with the lire-box. The side walls of the latter (see Fig.5) are each lmade of a row of connected, vertical, sectionalcompartments 5 constituting water legs through which the water from theshell may circulate as more fully hereinafter described. The

inner shell formed by said compartments consists of a plurality ofchannel bars 7 ,having long flanges 9 extending outwardly from thelire-box, said bars 7 alternating with channel bars 11 having shortflanges which are riveted to said long flanges. The outer shell formedby said co-mpartments consists of channel bars 13 interposed between andriveted to the Vouter end portions of the outwardly extending longflanges 9 of said bars 7, said long flanges constituting stay plates forsaid shells. To permit the free circulation of water from onecompartment to another, the flanges 9 connecting the outer and innersurfaces may be provided with spaced openings 15 (see Figs. 1 and 3).

It will be apparent that a fire-box side built of compartments offlanged sections as described provides. a wall-'or water leg of greatstrength and one in which the rivets for securingsaid flanges togetherare either contained within said sections or are on the exterior of thewall and thus are isolated and protected from the `lire in the fire-boxthereby reducing liability of rupture or explosion to a minimum.Furthermore, by this sectional construction any section or compartmentmay be readily removed for replacement or repair without disturbing the`other sections. Also a sidejwall stayed as described need not benecessarily positioned in a vertical position since its strength issufficient to permit it to assume various positions to conform to thearrangement and size of the fire-box and other parts as desired.

I will now describe a mud chamber through which waterV may be suppliedto the side wall communicating compartments. The lower ends of thelatter are not set into a separate mud-drum or header but the channelstay flanges referred to are cut away or have portions removed at theirlower ends as at 17 between the outer and inner surfaces of the walls toform a continuous chamber 19 contained within and extendedYthroughoutthe length of said walls. The outer side of this mud chamberis formed by the lower back portions 21 of the outer channel bars 13 andthe inner side is formed by the lower back portions 23 of the innerchannel bars 9 and 11. The bottom of the mud chamber is formed by a mudring'25 interposed between the end portions 21 and 23 which areflattened to conform to the flat sides of said mud ring and are securedto the latter by rows of long bolts 26 extending therethrough.

To prevent leakage between the adjacent edges of the lower inner backportions 23 of the compartments such as might occur because of thecutting away of the legs or flanges of the channels, the round backs ofthe inner bars may be flattened as at 27 (Figs. 3, t and and their edgeswelded together. To the flat surface thus formed is secured areinforcing strip 29 extending the length of the wall and connectingsaid sections. This strip is of suilicient width to extend above the topof the opening formed by the cutting away of the flanges of the channelbars and is firmly secured to the back portions 23 by rows of rivets 31above and below the level of the lower ends of said lianges and isfurther secured by the long bolts 26 referred to. Since the upper' edgeof said strip is readily accessible its joint may be calked if desiredto contribute to the tightness of the seams between said channel backs23.

By cutting away the lower ends of the flanges of the channels asdescribed, is pro-H vided a simple, compact mud chamber which iscontained within the side walls of the fire-box. By the use of the strip29 extending the entire length of each side of the fire-box the innerwall of the mud chamber is reinforced and strengthened, the compartmentsare connected at their bases and the joints between the backs of thelower ends of the channels are completely covered and protected andleakage is prevented. Since the mud chamber is below the level of thefire-grate, none of the rivets connecting said strip 29 to the backs ofthe channels are exposed to the fire. The flanges of the lower outerchannel back portions 21 and the vertical flange strips 24 therebetweenmay be welded together further to prevent any possibility of leakage.

The front and rear ends of the fire-box are made of the usual spacedstayed sheets, the rear sheet 33 only Vbeing shown herein. The'mudchamber of the water legs may communicate at the ends of said legs withthe spaces between the separated front sheets and rear sheets referredto thereby forming a continuous mud chamber through which water may besupplied to all of the sides of said firebox as desired.

The top of the tire-box (Figs. l and 2) is made of a plurality ofcylindrical drums 35 extending longitudinally of the boiler and rivetedto the rear fire-box sheet and similarly may be riveted to the frontsheet (not shown). By the use of cylindrical drums to form the top ofthe fire-box stay bolts are eliminated and there are no riveted seamsAexposed to the lire. The drums because of their equal length andcylindrical shape expand equally and being of small diameter willwithstand a greater pressure than the barrel of the boiler. Furthermore,there is no danger vof overheating as long as any water remains in thedrums, since the water gravitates toward the center of the lower ,curyedsides of said drums and covers that part of the drum surface whichrevtachment as well shown`in Fig. vl. open upper ends'of the-verticalcompartceives the greatest heat, whereas by the use of an archedtire-box crown sheet the water in lowering is pocketed at the sides ofthe arch, the top of the latter receiving the greatest heat being thefirst part to become dry and exposed, thereby greatly shortening thelife of the lire-box top. These top drums are lighter and more durablethan the crown sheet hitherto used and also being independentlysupported any. one of said drums may Vbe vreadily removed'withoutdisturbing the others. v Y

The upperends of the side wall sectional compartments are riveted andVnippled to the outer top drums and to avoid disturbing thetrulycylindrical sections ofthe latter' the backs of the sections aredeformed or Iiiattened asat 37 to conform to the contour of the drumsurfaces at their points of at- The ments are closed by suitable headscomprising cut-shaped sections 39 (see Figs. l, 2- and 6) Vset thereinand having upwardly extending sides or Hanges Vil adapted to be shapedto conform to the contour of theV interior of said compartments and maybe riveted thereto-as desired.V The drums 35 between the outer A-top fdrums may be covered by a suitable finishing sheet 43 bolted to the topsurfaces of the outer drums as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. may be providedwith' the usual steam dome 45 and superheater. y

It will be observed that by connecting the side top drums witha wallconsisting of sectional compartments is provided a lirebox structurewhich is not only of great strength and, elasticity with no stay boltsVvor rivets exposed to the lire, but also every The boiler also part isreadily accessible for repair or re- Y placement without disturbingother parts. For example, if access is desired to any portion of theunion of said side drums withV the compartments of the walls connectedtherewith, any of the louter and readily acf cessible channels 13 may beremoved,'there-k by exposing the interior of one of said compartments,its inner channel and the connections of the latter to the drum withoutthe necessity of removing the entire compartment, as would be necessaryif the latter were of integral instead of flanged sectional yconstruction. Furthermore, itwill be apparent that the inner channels byvirtue of their contact with the fire will wear out and need to bereplaced before the outer channels. By the sectional construction ofthecompartments new inner channels may be substituted and the outerchannels retained without the necessity of discarding the entirecompartment, thereby making possible a great saving in material.

It will be understood that my invention is not limited to the particularembodiment shown herein, but that various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Claims:

1. In a lire-box the combination of a wall comprising flanged sections,the flanges whereof atV their lower ends have portions removed, aconnecting plate crossing the lower ends of said sections and secured tothe unflanged faces thereof, and a mud-ring to which the lower edgeof'said plate is secured.

2. In a lire-box the combination of outer and inner wall portionscomprising outer and inner connected flanged sections, the flanges ofthe inner sections at their lower ends having portions removed, aconnecting plate crossing t-he lower ends of said inner sections andsecured to the unflanged faces thereof, and a mud-ring secured to andbetween said plate and the lower ends of said outer sections.

3. In a fire-box the combination of a wall comprising fianged sectionsextending transversely to the length of the fire-box, the flangeswhereof at their lower ends have portions removed, a connecting platecrossing the lower ends of said sections and secured to the unangedfaces thereof, and a mud-ring to which the lower edge of said plate issecured.

4. In a fire-box the combination of a wall comprising a plurality ofcommunicating compartments formed of flanged sections, the flangeswhereof at their lower ends have portions removed, a connecting platecrossing the lower ends of said sections and secured to the unliangedfaces thereof, and a mud-ring to which said faces and the lower edge ofsaid plate are secured.

5. In a fire-box the combination of a wall comprising a row of sectionalconnected compartments, the connecting portions whereof at their lowerends have portions removed, a connecting plate crossing the lower endsof said compartments and secured to the portions of the latter adjacentsaid removed portions, and a mud-ring to which the said plate is alsosecured.

6. In a fire-boXthe combination of a wall comprising flanged sections,the flanges whereof at their lower ends have portions removed, theunflanged faces of said sections being flattened, a connecting platecrossing said facesV and secured thereto, and a mudring to which saidplate is secured.

7. A boiler fire-box comprising, in combination, a wall comprisingflanged sections, the flanges whereof at their lower ends have portionsremoved` leaving unflanged faces having abutting edges, a connectingplate crossing the lower ends of said sections and secured to saidfaces, and a mud-ring secured to said plate.

8. A boiler re-box comprising, in combination, a top consisting of aplurality of drums, and side walls each comprising flanged sectionssecured to said drums, the flanges whereof at their lower ends haveportions removed, a connecting plate crossing the lower` ends of saidsections and secured to the unflanged faces thereof, and a mud-ring towhich the lower edge of said plate is secured.

9. A boiler flre-boX comprising, in combination, a wall consisting of aplurality of sections having closing cups at their upper ends andcommunicating at their lower ends to form a mud-chamber and areinforcing strip for the latter.

10. A boiler :lire-box comprising, in combination, a wall consisting ofa plurality of communicating sectional compartments having closing cupsat their upper ends Vand having portions cut away from their lower endsto form a mud-chamber extended throughout the length of said wall and areinforcing plate for said ring.

11. In a fire-boX, the combination of a closed crown comprising aplurality of drums, with side walls, each comprising a series of outerand inner flanged sections secured together and having provisionpermitting communication between the compartments formed by saidsections, said sections being secured to said drums, and meanspermitting communication between said compartments and drums.

12. In a boiler re-boX the combination of a plurality of drums formingthe top of the fire-box, side walls each comprising a plurality ofsectional compartments, the latter being riveted and nippled to some ofsaid drums.

13. In a boiler lire-box the combination of side walls, each comprisinga plurality of sectional compartments, cup-shaped sections closing thetops of said compartments and a mud-ring at the lower ends of saidcompartments.

14. In a boiler flreboX the combination of sides, each comprising aninner and outer flanged sectional shell, the anges of said shells beingsecured together to form communicating compartments, heads closing theupper ends of the latter, a mud-ring closing the lower ends of saidcompartments and a plurality of drums constituting the top of thefire-box some of said drums being connected to and having communicationwith said compartments.

15. In a fire-box the combination of a wall comprising flanged sections,a mud* ring, and a connecting plate from said flanged sections to saidmud-ring, said connecting plate crossing the lower ends of the formerand overlapping the latter and secured to both.

16. In a fire-box the combination of a wall comprising sectionalcompartments,

a mud-ring, and a connecting plate from said compartments to said ring,said connecting plate crossing the lower ends of the former andoverlapping the latter and secured to both.

l17. In a fire-box the combination of a wall comprising compartments, amud-ring, and a connecting plate from said compartments to said ring,said connecting plate crossing the lower ends of the former andoverlapping the latter and secured to both.

18. In a boil-er fire-box the combination of a plurality of drumsforming the top of the lire-box with` side Walls, each Coinprising aplurality of sections some of which are secured to said drums andClosing cups secured to the tops of said sections.

lxoyagas 19. In a boiler lire-box the combination of a plurality ofdrums forming the top cured to the top of said Walls.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specication, in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses. Y

JAMES M. MCCLELLON.

lVitnesses HENRY T. WILLIAMS, Evnniir'r S. Eiynmr.

opies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressinglthe f Commissioner of Patents.`

Washington, 1D. C.

